Saving the scriptures

Saving the scriptures

Rick Loomis / LAT

Rabbi Isaac Leider sits in an inflatable rescue boat with the six Torah scrolls he recovered from Congregation Beth Israel in New Orleans. "The whole principle of Jewish life is based on the Torah," he said, explaining why he saved the scriptures.

Rabbi Isaac Leider sits in an inflatable rescue boat with the six Torah scrolls he recovered from Congregation Beth Israel in New Orleans. "The whole principle of Jewish life is based on the Torah," he said, explaining why he saved the scriptures. (Rick Loomis / LAT)

Rabbi Isaac Leider sits in an inflatable rescue boat with the six Torah scrolls he recovered from Congregation Beth Israel in New Orleans. "The whole principle of Jewish life is based on the Torah," he said, explaining why he saved the scriptures.